firechildc
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2011
- Messages
- 34
I debated posting this since I don't have any pics of my boat, but boating is about more than the boat?it's also about the destination, so here we go!
If any of you are planning a trip to South Texas, particularly the Aransas Pass or Corpus Christi area, you've got to check out Ransom Island. Especially if you enjoy history.
Ransom Island is just off the coast of Aransas Pass, Texas. Way back when, the island was a hub for smugglers and pirates. They had a small smugglers village there dubbed "Ragtown" however that settlement didn't last long. In the 40's the island was a party spot for shrimpers and sailors while they were in port. A brothel, casino, hotel, several fishing piers and a small bank all popped up on the island. After a hurricane blew out the bridge leading to the island, the city of Aransas Pass faced the option of rebuilding the bridge, or letting the island die. The development of the intracoastal waterway between the city and the island killed all plans of rebuilding the bridge.
Now the island is a ghost town. The structures were built out of shellcrete, so most of them have been reclaimed by mother nature, but there are still a few ruins standing around the island. It's a fascinating place to visit. There is a boat ramp just about a mile up Ransom channel? which runs right along the Eastern shore of the island. Not a very long trip.
The water around the island is very shallow, so if you don't have a shallow water boat, it's best to anchor on the edge of the shallows and wade the short distance in, or bring a small kayak with you to make the trip.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The island is notorious for rattlesnakes. We didn't see any on our two trips to the island, but then again, it was winter. We did see plenty of snake holes in the interior of the island. If you stick to the shoreline you should be fine, just keep your eyes open!
If history isn't your thing, Ransom Island sits on the edge of Redfish bay. Guess how that bay got its name! haha. The shallow grass lines surrounding the island are PERFECT redfish habitat. TONS of fishing opportunity. We didn't do much fishing on our trip to the island, so I don't have any fish pics to post. Sad face. (haha)
Anyway, just thought I would showcase one of our little diamonds in the rough down here on the third coast. If ya come down, drop me a line! I'd be happy to meet ya on the island!
If any of you are planning a trip to South Texas, particularly the Aransas Pass or Corpus Christi area, you've got to check out Ransom Island. Especially if you enjoy history.
Ransom Island is just off the coast of Aransas Pass, Texas. Way back when, the island was a hub for smugglers and pirates. They had a small smugglers village there dubbed "Ragtown" however that settlement didn't last long. In the 40's the island was a party spot for shrimpers and sailors while they were in port. A brothel, casino, hotel, several fishing piers and a small bank all popped up on the island. After a hurricane blew out the bridge leading to the island, the city of Aransas Pass faced the option of rebuilding the bridge, or letting the island die. The development of the intracoastal waterway between the city and the island killed all plans of rebuilding the bridge.
Now the island is a ghost town. The structures were built out of shellcrete, so most of them have been reclaimed by mother nature, but there are still a few ruins standing around the island. It's a fascinating place to visit. There is a boat ramp just about a mile up Ransom channel? which runs right along the Eastern shore of the island. Not a very long trip.
The water around the island is very shallow, so if you don't have a shallow water boat, it's best to anchor on the edge of the shallows and wade the short distance in, or bring a small kayak with you to make the trip.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The island is notorious for rattlesnakes. We didn't see any on our two trips to the island, but then again, it was winter. We did see plenty of snake holes in the interior of the island. If you stick to the shoreline you should be fine, just keep your eyes open!
If history isn't your thing, Ransom Island sits on the edge of Redfish bay. Guess how that bay got its name! haha. The shallow grass lines surrounding the island are PERFECT redfish habitat. TONS of fishing opportunity. We didn't do much fishing on our trip to the island, so I don't have any fish pics to post. Sad face. (haha)
Anyway, just thought I would showcase one of our little diamonds in the rough down here on the third coast. If ya come down, drop me a line! I'd be happy to meet ya on the island!